The Global Game Summit returns to Newark on July 15, convening the only executive forum built around the FIFA World Cup.
NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#MediaReport--The Global Game Summit today released its official 2026 agenda, confirming the deepest and most influential speaker roster in the event's history ahead of its return to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Held in the days before the FIFA World Cup final, the daylong summit is the only conference of its kind: a single room where the people running clubs, leagues, media platforms, technology companies and capital pools that control the global game sit down together.
The 2026 lineup brings together a cross-industry roster that has never before shared a single stage at a soccer conference, including FIFA, Major League Soccer (MLS), LALIGA, Hawk-Eye Innovations, U.S. Soccer Federation, Dugout & ONEFOOTBALL, D.C. United, LAFC, AFC Toronto, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Reign FC, IBM, Transmit, DIAGEO, Lenovo, Bloomberg, Fanatics Advertising, GEICO, and iHeart Media, as well as HBO’s “U.S. Against the World” Producer Rand Getlin, 5x Premier League Champion Mikael Silvestre, Ashlyn Harris (Former Goalkeeper, USWNT, Orlando Pride and Gotham FC), Kacey White (Former Midfielder USWNT, Match Analyst for MLS on Apple TV) and others.
"This is not another soccer fan event or fan festival—it's the executive room," said Greg Kahn, CEO of GK Digital Ventures and Founder of The Global Game. "Ownership, media, brands, technology and capital—the people helping shape what comes next for this sport—will all be in the room. We built the Summit around meaningful conversations, curated connections and the leaders driving the business of global soccer. If you want to be part of shaping the game's future in the United States, this is the one day you can't miss."
2026 Agenda Features an Unmatched Roster Across Soccer, Tech, Media and Ownership
The 2026 program draws confirmed speakers spanning every corner of the soccer economy – a breadth no other soccer conference in the country can match.
Programming runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, followed by executive networking through 6:00 p.m., including a viewing of the World Cup semifinal.
Full schedule:
8:00 – 8:30 AM — Doors Open / Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 AM — Opening Remarks
Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game
8:40 – 9:20 AM — Panel: The New Power Brokers — Capital, Clubs & the Business of Global Football
Moderator: Darren Rovell, Founder, cllct Media
Panelists: Nicolás García Hemme (LALIGA North America), Charlie Stillitano (TEG Sport North America), Fred Mangione (FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee), Sarah Jordan (AFC Toronto), Amina Bulman (Boston Legacy FC), Joe Stetson, Chief Commercial Officer, Red Bull New York
9:30 – 10:10 AM — Panel: The Attention Economy — Content, Distribution & Premium Fan Experiences
Moderator: Vanessa Perdomo, Bloomberg
Panelists: Elliot Richardson (Dugout & ONEFOOTBALL), Michaela Hammond (OffBall), Rich Battista (Wave Sports & Entertainment), Bo Han (Transmit), Jeremi Gorman (Fanatics Advertising)
10:25 – 11:05 AM — Panel: Inside the Investment — Venture Capital, Innovation & the Business of Sports Technology
Panelists: Chris Schlosser (Major League Soccer), Max Wright (Hawk-Eye Innovations)
11:25 AM – 12:05 PM — Featured Conversation: The New Playbook — How Women’s Sports Became the Fastest-Growing Business in Sport
Co-Moderators: Gayle Troberman (Bubbler Media & iHeartMedia), Laura Correnti (Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment)
Panelist: Ashlyn Harris (Former Goalkeeper, USWNT, Orlando Pride and Gotham FC), Arianna Orpello (GEICO)
12:05 – 12:45 PM — Networking Lunch
12:45 - 1:10 PM – Off the Pitch Conversations
One-on-one conversations moderated by Arda Öcal, Emmy Award-Winning Broadcaster and Greg Kahn (GK Digital Ventures, The Global Game HQ)
Featuring:
- Mikaël Silvestre (5x Premier League Champion)
- Rand Getlin (Director and Executive Producer of HBO’s “U.S. Against the World,” co-founder of Park Stories)
- Jennifer Brisman (Founder and CEO of VOW)
1:10 – 1:50 PM — Panel: Built to Win — Brand Strategy at the Intersection of Sports, Tech & Culture
Moderator: Todd Spangler, Variety
Panelists: Jonathan Adashek (IBM), Alicia Parker (Tishman Speyer), Sophie Kelly (DIAGEO), Rich Orosco (Los Angeles Football Club), Jeff Shafer (Lenovo)
2:00 – 2:40 PM — Panel: Beyond 2026 — What’s Next for the Global Game
Moderator: Kacey White, Former Midfielder USWNT, Match Analyst for MLS on Apple TV
Panelists: Abe Geiger (U.S. Soccer Federation), Danita Johnson (D.C. United), Courtney Carter (Seattle Sounders FC & Seattle Reign FC), Evan Dabby (New Jersey Youth Soccer & USCSA)
2:40 - 2:50 PM – Bridge to Brazil
Interviewer: Greg Kahn (GK Digital Ventures & The Global Game HQ)
Interviewee: Junior Moraes (Pro Athlete)
2:50 - 3:00 PM — Closing Remarks
Greg Kahn, CEO, GK Digital Ventures & Founder of The Global Game
2:50 – 6:00 PM — Executive Networking & World Cup Semifinal Viewing
About The Global Game Summit
The Global Game Summit is the only curated, full-day conference dedicated exclusively to the business of soccer in the United States. Produced by GK Digital Ventures, the Summit convenes owners, investors, league and club executives, media companies, technology leaders and athletes to examine the forces shaping the sport — business and ownership, content and commerce, technology and innovation, and international and women’s soccer — as the U.S. hosts the FIFA World Cup. The 2026 edition takes place July 15 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., in partnership with HBSE.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com
For additional details, including partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://www.globalgamesummit.com
About GK Digital Ventures
GK Digital Ventures is an advisory firm focused on emerging media, technology and global sports. Through one of its flagship platforms, The Global Game, the firm convenes senior leaders across soccer, media, technology and investment to explore the future of the world's most popular sport. Following the success of its inaugural Summit in 2025, The Global Game is expanding into a year-round platform featuring executive events, original content and strategic industry convenings.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Peter Ramsay/Lora Metzner
Global Results Communications
Email: gkdv@globalresultspr.com
Phone: +1 949.307.5908
